But she was beginning to know better.
“You always look this calm?” she asked softly.
His eyes lifted briefly to hers.
“No.”
The answer caught her off guard.
“No?”
“No.” He returned his attention to the sutures. “I’m just practiced at hiding the rest.”
For a moment, the room held its breath.
That was more truth than he usually gave her.
More than he should have.
He finished removing the last suture and carefully checked the wound one more time before stepping back and discarding his gloves.
“Make sure you keep the area clean and dry. No strain beyond what therapy instructs. If swelling increases, if the pain changes sharply, if you notice discolorationor numbness getting worse, you call me immediately.”
She nodded, trying to absorb everything, though part of her was only listening to the sound of his voice because soon she wouldn’t have that either.
“And Trinity?” she asked. “You told her everything?”
“She has your case notes and surgical details. She knows what you need.”
“What if I become to dislike her?”
A trace of warmth touched his face.
“You won’t. She’s begun to work wonders with you.”
“You sound confident.”
“I am.”
Randi studied him for a long moment, then lowered her gaze.
“And that’s it?”
He didn’t answer right away.
Medical discharge, yes. Instructions, referrals, follow-up. All of that was complete.
But that wasn’t what she meant.
“You have a final checkup with me in four weeks,” he said at last. “Before then, therapy is your job now.”
My job now.
The words landed harder than they should have.
She nodded, though it felt suddenly difficult to breathe.
“Right.”
